Chai Lines
International Northeast Region
Women's League
for Conservative Judaism
Networking to Engage, Enrich and Empower
Conservative Jewish Women
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January 18, 2019 Volume 3, Issue 16
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FROM THE REGION PRESIDENT--JOAN LOWENSTEIN
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In recent weeks my synagogue has revised our locked door policy. During normal business hours, the doors have been locked for several years. Any congregant or visitor must be "buzzed in" after identifying themselves. Now even on Shabbat the doors are locked and someone is stationed at the door to allow entry to congregants. This person, the "Greeter," is also on alert for anyone or anything out of the ordinary. All of this seems contrary to our teachings of welcoming friends, family and even strangers into our homes and congregations. As the
chuppah is open on all sides, so shall be our homes. With all of our congregations focusing on security recently, I wonder how we can still be warm and welcoming?
In spite of all of this, I still can find ways in which we are and can be a place where people can feel a sense of belonging. This past week we held what my synagogue calls
Shabbat L'dor V'dor. We break before the Torah service and split into multi-generational groups for approximately 20-30 minutes. While the children partake in stories and snacks, the adults gather for study. One of the questions Rabbi posed during adult study was, "Why should we join a Synagogue?" One of the answers came from a relatively new congregant who said that she chose to drive over an hour to be a part of our congregation as this was where she felt welcomed and a sense of belonging. This gave me a sense of optimism and made me realize that the way to be warm and welcoming does not start at the entrance, but inside where we come together as a congregation. I hope that all of your Synagogues are safe, and at the same time, warm and welcoming.
Similarly, I hope that you will join us at our Region conference where we can all feel welcomed and a sense of belonging! See you in Toronto!
L'Shalom,
Joan
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MAZAL TOV TO:
Rabbi Ellen Wolintz-Fields on her son becoming a bar matzvah
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GOOD NEWS WANTED
Toot your own horn.
Tell us what is going on in your Sisterhood.
Tell us what is successful in your Sisterhood.
Email Lois Silverman, Chai Line editor @
ltsilverman@google.com
and she'll share your news.
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FROM WOMEN'S LEAGUE FOR
CONSERVATIVE
JUDAISM
Networking to engage,
enrich and empower
Conservative Jewish Women
Shabbat Message
"Crossing Over"
By Cathy Swerdlow, Florida Region President
T
his week, we read the thrilling and wondrous account of the crossing of the sea and the singing that occurred once we were safely on the other side. But have you ever wondered what the Israelites saw from the seafloor as they crossed? One of my favorite Rabbinic stories involves the captivating and mysterious woman
Serach bat Asher
. She is the only person mentioned by name as having gone down into Egypt with Jacob (
Genesis 46:17) and having come up out of Egypt with Moses (
Numbers 26:46).
According to the legend, there is a discussion in the house of study of Rabbi Yochanan concerning what it looked like when the Israelites crossed the sea. One student says they saw fish and dolphins and other sea creatures. Rabbi Yochanan says it was like a lattice work. Suddenly, there is a small voice from the back of the room, and a woman, Serach, says, "No, it was like glass. To the left, they could see all their ancestors and to the right, all the generations to come. I know, because I was there."
From Serach's account, we can see that all of Israel - past, present, and future - participated in the crossing. This is more than mythology; it is true. We were all there for the crossing because we are all connected, and because our actions as Jews reverberate across generations. If those Israelites had not crossed the sea, then we would not be where we are today.
What was true then is true now. What we do as Jewish women in 2019 is a result of what the Jewish women did in the generations before us, and our actions today will impact future generations.
As we gather for Sisterhood Shabbat, let's join together and cross the sea once again, creating a positive impact on the generations to come.
Women's League Shabbat is This Weekend!
Register Now for Sharsheret Pink Day!
February 13, 2019
Sharsheret Pink Day is an opportunity for you and your sisterhood to raise awareness about breast and ovarian cancer genetics and
help save lives!
Here's how to get involved:
Wear pink on February 13, lead a breast cancer awareness or fundraising event at your school or organization, sign up and download the official toolkit, and distribute free Sharsheret resources and giveaways!
Sign Up Now for Distance Workshops!
The next two Distance Workshops are
"Nominating: Choosing Well for the Future" on
Wednesday, January 23, at 8:30 p.m., Eastern time
and "Torah Fund: Investing in the Future" on Wednesday, January 30, at 8:30 p.m., Eastern time. Participation is limited to members of Women's League only. Learn more at the link and register today!
Register for the World Wide Wrap February 3!
The World Wide Wrap, sponsored by FJMC and WLCJ, is on
Sunday, February 3!
Daytime Learning at JTS Returns!
This spring, join other adult learners for stimulating text study and discussionwith the outstanding scholars of the
Jewish Theological Seminary in
New York City.
Advance registration is required.
Seven Wednesdays
February 27;
March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10
Sacred Time: Hasidic Mystics on Shabbat and the Holidays
Dr. Eitan Fishbane, Associate Professor of Jewish Thought, JTS
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Since Hasidism's emergence in Eastern Europe in the eighteenth century, this movement of spiritual revival and mystical thought has radically transformed Judaism. We will study the fascinating evolution of Hasidic thinking on the meaning and practice of sacred time (Shabbat and holidays). We will explore how Hasidic mystics understood experiences of holy time as pathways into the presence of God and the transformation of spiritual awareness. The course will feature lecture and class discussion based on texts from Rabbi Nahman of Bratzlav, Rabbi Moshe Hayim Efrayim of Sudilkov (grandson of the Ba'al Shem Tov), Rabbi Yehudah Leib of Ger, and Rabbi Tzadok ha-Kohen of Lublin.
In Search of an Ethical Judaism: Rabbinic Sources That Challenge Our Hearts and Minds
Dr. Marjorie Lehman, Associate Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics, JTS
1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Our contemporary moment is calling out for us to think about how to act ethically, but when we turn to the Talmud for guidance, we face many stories that challenge our contemporary ethical sensibilities. Do the rabbis have anything to teach us about how to be responsible members of the Jewish community and broader world? We'll begin by considering the rabbis' relationship to God and Oral Torah and the institutional challenges they faced in the wake of the destruction of the temple. We'll then enter their courtrooms and neighborhoods to confront their struggles with how to relate ethically to their parents, colleagues, wives, and children. Together we will explore how ancient Jewish texts can still shape our inner lives, nurture the empathic sides of who we are, and foster our spiritual longing to be connected to something larger than ourselves. This course will be discussion-oriented as we try to find ways that the texts speak to us.
$185 for one course
$360 for both courses
$335 discount for Women's League members before February 13
Register for 2019 Days of Study in February!
Sign up now to join the
2019 Masorti Women's Days of Study in Israel! Sponsored by Women's League and the Schechter Institutes, Masorti Women's Study Day offers classes in Hebrew, Russian, English, and Spanish, and covers subjects including Torah, meditation, Jewish music, and social justice in Israel on
February 6, 12, and 19. Women's League members are all cordially invited to attend. This year's theme is Women's Voices Changing the Discourse, and speakers will include Professor Alice Shalvi, Rabbi
Amy Levin, and Prof. Bat-Sheva Margalit Stern
Join the Next Leadership Institute
Sunday-Monday, February 17-18, 2019
Tamarac, FL
 Do you still have your copy of our 5779 Calendar Diary? Are you looking to purchase some extra copies for your sisterhood or Judaica shop? Need a last-minute gift? Our 2019-2020 Calendar Diary is about to print soon, but we're marking down the 2018-2019/5779 edition for only $6!
Featuring artwork from our own members and community, the 5779 edition of our pocket calendar includes Jewish holidays, candle-lighting times, Birkat HaMazon, and useful tips for all occasions. Comes with plastic cover.
WWOT - Weekly Words of Torah:
Parashat Beshalach
To inspire, guide, engage, enrich, and empower Conservative Jewish Women
By Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields, Executive Director, Women's League For Conservative Judaism
This Shabbat, we read Parsahat Beshalach, which is also referred to as Shabbat Shira, the Shabbat of Song. Also, we have designated this Shabbat as Sisterhood Shabbat. This Shabbat is called the Shabbat Shira because we read Shirat HaYam, the Song of the Sea, which Moses sang after the children of Israel crossed over the Sea of Reeds, also referred to as the Red Sea, or Yaf Soof. After Moses sang Shirat HaYam, Miriam, his sister, took her timbrel in her hand and led the women in song. The second reason this Shabbat is called Shabbat Shira is because the Haftarah is the Song of Deborah, from the Book of Judges, which is the victory song sung by Deborah and Barak after their defeat of the Canaanite adversaries by some of the tribes of Israel.
I believe that every Shabbat should be considered a "Shabbat of song" - even if you sing off key. Singing and music are soothing and a way to connect people. Many of our synagogue melodies are just humming - so, even if one does not know Hebrew, you can still hum along. Additionally, many of our siddurim have transliterations so, if you do not know how to read Hebrew yet, you can still read along. If there is a prayer that is not transliterated, contact me, and I will transliterate it for you. (Or, we can have a basic Hebrew class started in our Sisterhoods, if they do not already exist.)
We have designated this Shabbat as Sisterhood Shabbat, but, let's be honest - every Shabbat should be Sisterhood Shabbat. I am so proud of the work that Women's League for Conservative Judaism has been doing since our creation by Mathilde Schechter in 1918, and our next century will be even better! We are women - hear our voices - every day, every Shabbat. Sing loud! Sing proud! Let our voices be heard!
Shabbat Shalom to all!
Thank You for Your Contributions!
The following have donated recently to Women's League and its many initiatives. Women's League accepts donations all year - all contributions are welcome.
Masorti WL Days of Study
Barbara Rosenau
Shearith Israel Sisterhood, Dallas, TX
Temple Sinai, Dresher, PA
Rochelle Hirt
Temple of Aaron Sisterhood, St. Paul, MN
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FROM THE TORAH FUND VICE PRESIDENT
MARILYN COHEN
Marilyn Cohen,
International Northeast Region Torah Fund Vice-President
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NEED HELP?
HELP IS AVAILABLE ON THE WLCJ WEBSITE.
Programs, membership ideas, education material, and more available at wlcj.org
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